A different twist on a Ramchargers kit

... don't know how many of you can remember the early '70's ....... short wheelbase top fuelers ....... and shock, some of them were powered by big block Chevrolets ......... and some were a "legs under" design which raised the rear end so the drivers legs could go under the axles ...... that also caused the engines to sit in a very "nose down" attitude ....... not many drivers liked that configuration, but some of those cars were very competitive

I built this "phantom" BBC Chevrolet fueler from a Ramchargers kit ....... used the 427 Chevy from an AMT '37 Chevy which was perfect for the "legs under" configuration ....... Painted the car Testors gloss black with a Testors Orange chassis ...... details from Pro Tech ..... and a set of Slixx decals designed for use on Graeme Cowin's funny car ..... and of course the cowl had to sport a  Chevrolet "Bow Tie"  and "Taz" wreaking a little havoc

Great bit of nostalgia. Nice work.

Man I am digging this, very nice.

Thanks for the nice comments guys. Just to prove that these "legs under" cars really existed, here's a shot of "Terrible Ted" Gotelli's gorgeous rig. Note the nose down attitude of the big Chrysler.

Thanks OC. I never knew these car actually existed. I'd really like to see a driver compartment on one of these. Is it really legs undear or is it just a saying?

There is no way I'd want my legs under the axle.

I saw a picture on Instagram last I'd never seen before. It was a picture from the front of
Big Daddy's famous clutch explosion after the frame snapped in two.

It was in color as well.

Promodmerc wrote:There is no way I'd want my legs under the axle.

I saw a picture on Instagram last I'd never seen before. It was a picture from the front of
Big Daddy's famous clutch explosion after the frame snapped in two.

It was in color as well.

I've seen that pic, it's wild.

Curtis wrote:Thanks OC. I never knew these car actually existed. I'd really like to see a driver compartment on one of these. Is it really legs undear or is it just a saying?

They were real, and they were very quick. However, it took a special kind of individual to drive one. I understand the visibility for the driver was very limited. But they were pretty beasts.

Here's a picture of a "legs under" car under construction ...... note the legs position in comparison to the axles

That driving position is crazy.

Getting in and out must has been a real struggle.

Curtis wrote:

Getting in and out must has been a real struggle.

I'd have a hell of a time with my "fine" physique

A beautiful build of a terrifying class of terrifying vehicles. The rail dragsters always freaked me out as much as they impressed.

Beautiful build.  In the early 60's small block Chevy's often won Top Fuel over Chrysler hemi's because the tires just couldn't put down the power from the engine.  Better tires led to domination of the hemi, although the rat motor cars and Ford SOHC could hold their own.  My favorite Top Fuel car was the Surfer's (Skinner, Jobe & Sorokin).  There's a very interesting YouTube series about the Surfers that Bill Pitts created.    It's 51 15 minute episodes so it's an investment in time, but you will be amazed at what you learn.

A thousand thanks! You are a Professor of piston power. As for the legs under approach, it's confirmed by a vote, they WERE nuts!